NORWICH - Three local teens have been arrested by Norwich police for allegedly taking part in a rash of drive-by paintball gun attacks on Halloween and in early November in which several children who were trick-or-treating, a pregnant woman and a dog were struck.

"Several people were struck. Nearly all of them," Norwich Police Sgt. James Tetreault said.

Robinson was charged with second-degree assault, nine counts of conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault of a pregnant or elderly person, three counts of conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a minor, conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, three counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit reckless endangerment, unlawful discharge of an air gun, and 12 violations of conspiracy to commit unlawful discharge of an air gun, which is a city ordinance.

Reels was charged with nine counts of conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault of a pregnant or elderly person, three counts of conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a minor, conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, three counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit reckless endangerment and 13 violations of conspiracy to commit unlawful discharge of an air gun.

Merrill was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault of a pregnant or elderly person, three counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit reckless endangerment and six violations of conspiracy to commit unlawful discharge of an air gun.

According to police, the teens purchased the guns and other paintball equipment on Halloween night, and then shot the weapons at children out trick-or-treating in the downtown area of Norwich.

On two other nights – Nov. 2 and Nov. 6 – they carried out two more attacks involving a pregnant woman and a dog. Several victims sustained minor injuries.

"We haven't had many investigations similar to this," Tetreault said. In a news release, police said the investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.